It shouldn’t come as any surprise that a forklift is a dangerous piece of machinery. There are some pretty grim accident statistics to back up that notion. In reality, forklifts account for only 1% of all warehouse or factory accidents. But the accidents tend to be more serious than others, accounting for 10% of all physical injuries in those workplaces.

Here are five accident statistics that should cause you to exercise extreme caution when operating a forklift:

1. Forklifts account for around 85 deaths every year.
2. Forklift accidents that result in serious injury total 34,900 annually.
3. Non-serious injuries related to forklift accidents reach 61,800 each year.
4. A forklift overturning is the most common incident, accounting for 24% of all forklift accidents.
5. If companies implemented more stringent training policies, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that about 70% of forklift accidents in the US could be prevented.

Why Are Forklifts So Dangerous?

There are a number of reasons why forklifts can be such a workplace hazard.

• They can weigh up to 9,000 pounds, which is three times heavier than many cars
• They can travel up to 18 mph
• Unlike a car, forklifts only have brakes in the front, making them harder to stop
• Forklifts are heavier in the rear to compensate for the heavy loads being carried in the front. This uneven weight distribution can make a forklift difficult to handle.
• A forklift is turned by the rear wheels, causing the rear end to swing outward. This ncreases the chance of tipping over during tight turns.
• Loads are carried in the front of a forklift, which can obstruct the view of the driver
• Forklifts are often used to raise hefty loads to considerable heights, a combination that is always dangerous

Forklift Safety

Forklift operators are required to be trained according to employer and OSHA standards. While keeping employees safe is certainly the No. 1 focus, it’s also important to keep your infrastructure protected as well.